September 14

Learned Obedience

"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8

Jesus, the perfect Son of God, did his Father's will to the point of suffering and thus learned to obey even when there was pain. This is the lesson for us. Obedience is not difficult when there is no suffering, no pain. When God asks us to do something pleasant, no problem, but it is when we are walking through the shadows and he tells us to keep going that we truly learn obedience. Jesus knew that he could trust his Father, even though it meant he had to suffer on a cross. Because he did, we now have a High Priest who understands what it is to be betrayed, beaten, spit upon, rejected, cursed and even killed. When we experience pain and suffering in our lives, we have a Savior we can turn to; one who has been there before and can sympathize with our pain; one who will see us through to the end. When we follow in our Master's footsteps, continuing on despite the pain, we learn the important lesson that we can trust our Father. God uses pain and suffering in our lives to deepen our reliance upon Him. He would have us grow and develop in our faith. He knows that if left to ourselves, our faith would remain shallow. It needs to be tested in order to deepen and mature. Suffering also makes us dependent upon our Father: we cannot make it through without him. He knows this is necessary for us to be victorious. When we find ourselves in pain, we just want out; that is the fleshly reaction. The next time you are suffering, instead of fearing or fighting it, try releasing it into God's hands, and asking him to help you grow and learn obedience from it. It will not be easy, but you have a Savior who will be right there with you, strengthening you and seeing you through.

Father, this is a hard lesson for us to learn! Our flesh does not like to suffer. Help us to trust you in all of life's experiences. Help us to see that the pain and suffering you have placed in our lives is there for a purpose. Teach us to embrace all of the experiences you give us, even the most difficult, that we might learn obedience as our Lord did. Thank you for his obedience, and for his example. What a blessing that we have one who can sympathize with us in all of our difficulties! You knew we needed that. Help us to trust you in all things. Amen